Jerry Rice makes their day

College football stars of the past put on a special show for their fans

College football stars of the past put on a special show for their fans

August 13, 2006|AL LESAR Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- They might have had to wait until the last play of the game, but the fans finally got what they came to see. Jerry Rice caught a touchdown pass. The outcome of Saturday's College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Flag Football Game already had been decided. No matter what the West did on this last possession, the East was going to win. Rice and John Friesz, the West quarterback, were oblivious to the situation. Fans completely circled the Hall's newly renovated Gridiron Plaza -- five deep -- and waited patiently to watch the former Mississippi Valley State and NFL star perform in this half-speed exhibition. There was nothing half-speed about the final play. Rice disregarded the routine double-team -- yes, double-teamed even in flag football -- sprinted to the back of the end zone 30 yards away and went high to haul in the pass. "Jerry was amazing on that play," said Friesz. "He made a double move. Their defense didn't stand a chance. It was the highlight of my day." The highlight performance of the day, though, was a shocker. With all the athletic talent on the confined field -- receivers Rice, Ronnie Mallett and David Williams, running backs like Roosevelt Leaks, Anthony Davis and Joe Washington and quarterbacks Friesz and John Huarte -- it was an offensive lineman who stole the show. Keith Dorney, an offensive tackle at Penn State (1975-78), caught three passes for 40 yards and two touchdowns to lead the West team to the 20-16 win, while claiming most valuable player honors. He showed little regard for his body, diving early and often on the new turf. "I'm like a stealth receiver who quietly slipped through the cracks," Dorney said. "I always do stuff like (diving on the ground). Heck, if I don't bleed at least once around the house, it hasn't been a good day." Given that criteria, Dorney had a wonderful time in South Bend. So did the kids who were part of the Youth Clinic, conducted after the game. Several different stations, stressing various skills used in football, were manned by the Hall of Famers, as well as local high school coaches and players. Getting to catch a pass thrown by Rice in a drill is something these youngsters can brag about once school starts. "This is incredible. I've never met a real football player before," said 12-year-old Taron Miller, who will be a sixth-grader at Brown Intermediate Center in South Bend. "Jerry Rice, he's a quick runner. I'm just like him. I've never really seen him play before today." "I don't know who these guys are, but it's neat that they're here," said T.J. Drews, 12, who attends St. Adalbert's School in South Bend. "It's probably an honor to be out here with them. I just like being able to practice football." "I see myself in a lot of these kids," said Williams, who grew up in the Los Angeles area and went on to star at the University of Illinois. "I grew up watching Elgin Baylor and Jerry West with the Lakers. I remember getting (former running back) Lawrence McCutcheon's autograph (when he was) with the Rams. "These kids out here will remember this. As they get older, they'll see Jerry Rice on TV and say, 'I caught a pass he threw. I remember that day.' "I'm blessed to be someone who could impact them. I've had so many people, primarily my parents and my older brother, help me along the way and keep me headed in the right direction. I'd love to do that for someone else." There were no Hall of Fame credentials next to Scott Bovenkerk's name, but the Jimtown High School assistant coach was still enthusiastic and animated while instructing offensive line drills. "Hey, it's football. Why wouldn't you be excited?" Bovenkerk said. "Teaching is what I do. As long as someone wants to learn, I'm excited about teaching." Excitement made the day a success.